The ADAY Book is Out!

Several months ago I was asked to participatein a project by the Swedish non-profit foundation Expressions of Humankind foundation called ADAY. The foundation supports scientific research and education centered around the photographic image and the written word and ADAY was an extension of that work. May 15, 2012 was chosen as a day for people worldwide to photograph, “what is close to you – what matters to you?” I was still in Chiapas, Mexico at the time and spent the day traveling around photographing this enchanting part of the planet.

Out of almost a 100,000 images submitted from that day, from more than 160 countries, one of mine, the one here, was chosen to be included in the book, “A Day In the World”, which was published in October. I am humbled to be included in this project and to be associated with work of this caliber. It is inspiring and I look forward to expanding my portfolio more internationally, with more genres, and working even harder to make more poignant images and more art.

In 2011 Jonathan Look decided to change his life and pursue adventures instead of comfort and possessions. His goal is to travel the world solo; one country at a time, one year at a time. To accomplish this he got rid of most of his possessions, packed up what little he saw as necessities and headed out. His goal is to spend ten years discovering new places, meeting new people and taking the time to learn about them, their values and their place on this tiny planet. He embraces the philosophy that says a person is the sum of their experiences and rejects the fraud of modern consumerism that makes people into slaves of their consumption. He doesn't intend to be modern day ascetic, just more mindful of his place in the world and to make decisions according to that new standard.

In 2011 Jonathan Look sold everything he owned, took early retirement and began traveling the world. He admits it was a pretty radical step, but after living a rather typical American life, a life based on seeking comforts and accumulating possessions, he longed for adventure and experiences far more than holding on to his “stuff”.

He started this blog to demonstrate to his fellow baby boomers that the world is not some scary place and it is still open and available to those who are motivated and curious enough to go out and see it for themselves.